074/17 The Chairman reminded Members of their responsibility for any Declarations of Interest on Agenda items for this meeting and for any changes to their Register of Interest Declarations.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

075/17 It was resolved that the Minutes of the meeting held on 08 May 2017, copies of which had been previously distributed to Members, be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS AND THE PUBLIC

076/17 No members of the Press or the Public attended this meeting

REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS

077/17 Cllr Barry Noakes has been appointed Chairman of the Borough Council Planning Committee.

AMENITIES COMMITTEE

The Chairman of the Amenities Committee reported:

078/17 Glebe Fields. Following Minute 013/17. It was noted that Cllrs Stephen Wickham, Antony Harris and Phil Kirkby with the Clerk had met Mrs Corinne Browne at the Buss Murton offices in Cranbrook on 15 May 2017 when the draft lease from the Diocese of Canterbury was considered in detail. Points covered related to the Village Green status from which the ‘top’ Glebe benefits, trees on the eastern curtilage of both Glebes, the position regarding the right to build a suitable replacement small building to replace the former derelict construction, the footpath on the ‘top glebe’ and occasional car parking on the Village Green for big Church events. These matters were considered by the Amenities Committee on 23 May 2017 (Minutes attached to the Agenda for this meeting). Subsequent exchanges of e-mails with Mrs Browne included points relating to the use of the lower Glebe for car parking on big event days e.g. the annual Goudhurst Fete, widening the entrance to the ‘lower’ Glebe and Council’s request to make a gated entrance or exit on the south side of the ‘lower’ Glebe. Also establishing gates on both Glebes for security. It was noted that Mrs Browne has now submitted our suggested amendments to the Solicitors representing the Diocese and we await a response. By resolution Council agreed the action taken so far by the Amenities Committee.

079/17 Chequer Field – Legal Issues. Following Minute 259/16 et seq, it was noted that Cllrs Stephen Wickham, Antony Harris, Phil Kirkby and Barry Noakes with the Clerk and Mrs Corinne Browne had attended a meeting at the Town Hall on 18 May 2017. TWBC was represented by Mrs Kate Turnham, Solicitor to TWBC and Mr John Antoniades, TWBC Acting Property and Estates Manager.

Regarding the outstanding boundary issues including the contentious ‘slither of land’ in the south-west corner which impinges on the football pitch, TWBC stated that they have no intention of doing any further work on this although it is evident that an error had been made during the compulsory purchase of 4 parcels of land that now make up Chequer Field.

On the matter of the poor drainage at the south end of the pitch, TWBC agreed to cover the cost of moving the pitch away from that area; this would include repositioning the goal post sockets and the re-marking of both the senior and junior pitches. The Parish Council will obtain relevant quotes for TWBC to consider.

080/17 Chequer Field – the Football Pitch. Following Minute 079/17. It was resolved to accept the Amenities Committee proposal to reduce the size of the seniors’ pitch from 100m x 64m (the maximum allowed by the Football Association) to 92m x 58m (which is greater than the minimum size). It was noted that the reduced size seniors’ pitch will still accommodate two junior pitches each measuring 48m x 29m. It was noted that reducing the size of the seniors pitch has two advantages: The area of poor drainage will now be outside the pitch area, as is the ‘slither of land’.

081/17 Goudhurst Pond De-silting. Following Minute 078/14. It was resolved to agree expenditure of up to £24,750 with White Land Solutions being the preferred contractor. Their quote includes removing up to 600 tons of silt. The expert view is that it should not be necessary to remove more than that because some silt needs to be left in the pond to protect the clay liner. Should more have to be removed the contractor is willing to negotiate with Council on the cost. There may be a cost saving if we do not need to use road cleaning equipment.

It was noted that the draining of the Pond is planned to start in the week of 24 July with excavating starting in the week of 25 September. Excavating will take up to a week.

It was noted that the Clerk will liaise with Kent Highways, TWBC Environmental Services, press releases, website information and have some temporary information boards made.

It was resolved that Council will approach Fernham Homes, the developer of 7 new homes on the former Goudhurst Service Station site in Station Road, Goudhurst. TW/15/504550 refers. The request will be for funding to establish a footway between Ranters Lane and Bluecoats Lane. The Clerk will action this.

083/17 Speed Indicator Device (SID). It was noted that Kent Highways has sent Council a draft Agreement (a Deed of Easement) to establish on private land a pole on which a SID can be mounted. The Clerk is of the opinion that Council should have this draft checked for legal validity. Resolved: that the draft Agreement be passed to Cllr Guy Sutton for advice. The Clerk will action this.

084/17 Traffic Speed in Rural Areas. Chairman H&F Committee briefed Council on the TWBC Overview and Scrutiny Committee report on the Tackling Excessive Speeds in Rural Areas. This included reports from volunteer Speedwatch Groups in TWBC Parishes which indicated that their local action had no lasting long term positive effect on rural traffic speed. The general view is that fixed speed cameras leading to fines and/or points on drivers’ licences is the most effective remedy. However, official policy does not allow their introduction unless there is a history of traffic accidents and deaths.

POLICE & NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

The Chairman of the Police & Neighbourhood Watch Committee reported:

085/17 CCTV. Following Minute 058/17. It was noted that the proposer of a scheme to fund the replacement equipment has indicated that he should have a proposal ready for the 10 July 2017 Council meeting.

086/17 Neighbourhood Watch. It was resolved to approve a grant of £150.00 to the West Kent Neighbourhood Watch Association for 2017/18 and annually thereafter under the Local Gov’t and Rating Act 1997, s31.

PLANNING COMMITTEE

It was resolved to note the following Decisions from TWBC published in May 2017:

087/17 DECISIONS

17/00681 Lady Oak House Lady Oak Lane Flimwell

Internal and external repairs and alterations including changes to doors, windows, chimney, lighting and weatherboarding

088/17 APPLICATIONS considered by the Parish Council Planning Committee in May 2017 with representations approved by Council:

17/01224 Bedgebury Manor Lady Oak Lane Goudhurst

Part retrospective roof repairs including replacement lead work, timber work and work on chimneys

Recommend refusal

The submitted plans do not adequately demonstrate the work which is described in the application, but other irrelevant matters.

17/01251 Brandfold Terrace Cottage North Road Goudhurst

Replacement of existing dwelling (alternative to 14/504374)

Recommend approval

This is a high quality contemporary proposal in a location which is already very well screened. Subject to officers being satisfied that the volume increase over the earlier approved scheme complies with policy, GPC is content that approval is granted.

17/01317 Bay Tree Beresford Road Goudhurst

Proposed loft conversion

Recommend approval

A reasonable proposal to increase the accommodation in this modest property. Officers should determine whether some of the new windows need to be obscure glazed, in order to protect the amenity of the immediate neighbours.

17/01319 Land at Triggs Farm Cranbrook Road Goudhurst

Outline (Access not reserved) – Demolition of the property known as Kestrel Cranbrook Road Goudhurst and erection of a new access road and ten detached dwellings

Recommend refusal

This site has been put forward for consideration in the Neighbourhood Development Plan process, which has not as yet started to consider submitted sites. GPC therefore recommends refusal on the following grounds:

• The size range of the proposed dwellings does not comply with TWBC policy;

• Whilst the proposed new access is probably compliant with KCC policy on sight lines, there will be problems at the point where the new access joins the existing Triggs Lane at one of its narrowest points, when two vehicles meet, particularly if one of the vehicles is a service vehicle;

• There will be a loss of amenity to the occupiers of the 4 dwellings to the immediate north of the site through overlooking.

Committee if officers are minded to approve.

17/01208 Whites Bedgebury Road Goudhurst

Installation of a field gate to SW corner of site to facilitate access across Bedgebury Road to adjacent paddock and to increase concrete area to stable-yard.

Recommend approval

The laying of the concrete by the stables seems acceptable. Goudhurst Parish Council believes that Highways should rule on the installation of the new gateway, taking account of the close proximity of other exit/entrances. It would seem that vehicular use of the gateways at this busy point might be hazardous,

17/01496 The Woolpack Winchet Hill Curtisden Green

Double storey extension and alteration to existing dwelling

Recommend approval

This proposal will have minimal impact on the locality and will improve the appearance of the building. Goudhurst Parish Council is content that the application is approved.

This proposal will have limited impact on the locality and will make the outbuilding more readily available for use. Subject to the views of the conservation officer, Goudhurst Parish Council is content that the application is approved

This proposal will have limited impact on the locality and will make the outbuilding more readily available for use. Subject to the views of the conservation officer, Goudhurst Parish Council is content that the application is approved

NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Cllr Antony Harris reported.

089/17 It was noted that 276 local residents attended an up-date meeting of the Goudhurst NDP in the Parish Hall on 24 May. The following day the Residents Questionnaire was launched with copies mostly being delivered by hand to all dwellings across the Parish with a number being posted to those who live on the busy A21. The initial response seems to be good.

090/17 Parish Council Membership of the NDP Steering Committee. For personal reasons Cllrs Mrs Susan Newsam has asked to stand down and it was agreed that Cllr Guy Sutton will cover for Cllr Mrs Susan Newsam for the time being.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETINGS

091/17 A resolution was put that the Annual Parish Meetings, held separately for Goudhurst and Kilndown up to now should be combined and held as one meeting in alternate years at Goudhurst and at Kilndown. Some Members were in favour but others expressed the view that few from Goudhurst would go to a joint meeting held at Kilndown and that few from Kilndown would go to a combined meeting at Goudhurst. The resolution as put was not passed.

092/17 A supplementary resolution was put. That separate meetings should continue to be held at both Goudhurst and Kilndown but, rather then hold both meetings within 48 hours of each other, they should be held at least 10 working days apart whilst recognising the statutory requirement to hold the meetings between 01 March and 01 June inclusive annually. The resolution was passed unanimously.

TRAINING

093/17 The Clerk drew Members’ attention to the leaflet (part of the Agenda supporting papers for this meeting) recently produced by KALC listing their Training Programme for 2017. The Chairman highlighted the high quality of training by KALC and encouraged Members to sign up via the Clerk.

.CLERK’S ITEMS

094/17 It was resolved to agree expenditure of £378.30 for the purchase of a Projector for Neighbourhood Development Plan and general use on Parish Council approved business. It was further resolved that the projector will be kept in the Clerk’s office as opposed to it being kept in the Parish Hall.

095/17 It was resolved to agree expenditure of £367.49 for the purchase of an HP colour laser printer and £216.00 on spare cartridges. This replaces a mono colour printer used by the Clerk since 2001 to be written off.

096/17 Wallgate annual maintenance contract. It was resolved to renew for a further 12 months the Wallgate maintenance contract for the handwash units in the Balcombes Hill toilets

097/17 PHS. It was resolved to enter into a direct debit arrangement with PHS who provide certain maintenance services at the Balcombes Hill toilets.

DEFIBRILLATOR AT THE STAR & EAGLE

098/17 The Chairman raised a query that had been but to him by a member of the public with reference to the defibrillator on the wall of the Star & Eagle car park. The Clerk reported that he knows the local resident who launched the project some years ago to establish that defibrillator and he will contact her about it. The Clerk also reported that, through the Patients’ Participation Group at The Old Parsonage Surgery, he knows that the Doctors only recently became aware of this piece of equipment. They might be interested in giving support for its maintenance (whilst not repositioning it into the Surgery’s premises). He will follow up and report back to Council.

ACCOUNTS

099/17It was resolved unanimously that the following payments be made: